Vegetable washing and/or decorticating machine



March 3, 1942. H. ROBINSON VEGETABLE WASHING AND/OR DECORTICATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1940 Marh 3, 1942.

H. ROBINSON VEGETABLE WASHING AND/OR DECORTICATING MACHINE e, Sheets-Sh ee't 2 Filed July 16, 1940 III I Henry Robinson,

March 3, 1942.

H. ROBINSON VEGETABLE WASHING AND/OR DECORTICATING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 llll I.

WNQ

.EYEEN March 3, 1942. H. ROBINSON 2,274,809

VEGETABLE WASHING AND/OR DECORTICATING MACHINE Filed Jilly 16, 1940 '6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mrqh 3, 1942. H. ROBINSON VEGETABLE WAS HING AND/OR DECORTIGATING' MACHINE Filed July 16, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Mar. 3, 1942 VEGETABLE WASHING AND/on neon-atri- CATING MACHINE HenryRobinson, maintain; N. r. I Application July '16, 1940, serial No. 345,787

8 Claims.

sumption, reduces maintenance costs and has its parts readily accessible for inspection and cleaning for sanitary purposes and replacement of the abrasive parts or cylinder sections. g

An important aim is to provide such a machine having a containing horizontal cylinder providing a more extended and efficient rotating, surfacethan in those universally used vertical types embodying my prior pioneer inventionsto insure more uniform, equalized contact, pressure, agitation, friction, and waste elimination between the material operated on. and the inner surface of such containing cylinder, whether that inner surface contains abrasive material for tuber decorticating or is smooth in the case of leafy vegetables, fruits and berries, especially providing such a machine wherein the peeling or decorticating of tubers reduces waste to a minimum and overcomes the tendency to produce flat surfaces thereon and which is prevalent in the vertical type of machines.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a machine of the present character having stationary end heads in which a rotary shaft is journaled and carries a' perforated cylinder whose ends are relatively close ,to the end heads and which cylinder may or may not have an abrasive inner surface, which cylinder at one end receives material through an opening in an end head and discharges the material through an opening of the other end head, the cylinder having helical or spiral rib means which moves the material through the cylinder while agitating it, and then discharges it through 'the second mentioned opening. 7

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the wall l3 tosaid flanges i2.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved machine, with parts partly'broken away and in section to disclose details;

Figure 2 is a rear end elevation;

Figure 3 is a side elevation;

Figure 4 is a view partly in side elevation, with the cover section raised and with the containercylinder partly broken away and in section; d

Figure 5 is a horizontal view partly in section, taken on the plane of line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of line B-B of Figure 3.

I Figure 7 is a perspective view ofone of the container cylinder sections, and I Figure 8 is a'deta'il elevation of a direct drive, which may be employed, without the interven ti o'n ofa clutch. I

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, vegetables, fungi, fruits, berries and the like, are operated 0n while contained in a rotatable cylinder generally designated A. The inventionespecially effectively acts on long vegetables like celery, horse-radishe's, carrots, broccoli, and parsnips as they are received and remain'lengthwise of the cylinder. b v

Said cylinder A operates on a horizontal axis and is enclosed within a generally cylindrical stationary casing or housing B. The casing B may be of any suitable construction but preferably comprises a relatively stationary section C and "a cover or upper section D, Y The stationary section C consists of vertical end plates or heads H! and I I located respectively at the front and rear ends thereof and which have arcuate flanges l2 overlapping an arcuate longitudinal wall l3, Rivets or welds l4 secure Strengthening plates or bars l5'are disposed alongand secured to the upper longitudinal edges of the'arcuate wall IS with the endsremovably fitting and overlapped by the'flanges 12. Supporting legs it are detachably bolted at l'l to the flanges l5.

\ Said cover or upper section D consists of end plates or heads I8 in continuation of those at 10 and l l having arcuate flanges I9 overlapping and f tted by a removable arcuate wall 20 having reinforcingbars or plates 2| secured along its longitudinal edges and fitted beneath flange l9. Rivets or welds 22 serve to fasten the wall 20 to said flanges l9.

Said flanges I2 and [9 have hinge leaves 23 pivotally connected by horizontal pintles 24 so that cover section B may be swung upwardly or raised as shown in Figure .4 and conventional releasable clamps or hold-down means 25 for such cover section D may have their coacting parts secured to adjacent bars I and 2|. A suitable handle 26 may be provided on the cover section.

Reverting to the container cylinder A, it comprises diametrically opposite similar arcuate walls or sections 21 and similar diametrically opposite walls or sections 28. Sections 21 and 28 are detachably secured together by means of screws at 28 which pass through lugs or straps 38 integrally cast on opposite longitudinal edges of sections 28 and offset therefrom to better preserve a cylindrical inner surface. It will be noted that the sections 21 and 28 terminate with clearance between their ends and the sections C and D of the housing or casing B.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the sections 21 and 28 contain slots or perforations 3| of any desired size and shape, but preferably elongated, and of any preferred number. Further, th longitudinal edges of the sections 21 and 28, when assembled, may contact or may be spaced apart as at 32, as preferred. The spaces provided by the slots 3|, at 32, and at the ends of the sections 21 and 28, facilitate drainage of water from the material operated on as well as elimination of dirt, skins and other refuse.

Ribs or ridges 33 are provided on the interior of the cylinder A, preferably being two in number and cast integral with the sections 28. Such ribs 33 are diametrically opposite, being closed at their ends and symmetrically curved on opposite sides of their longitudinal median lines, and they are disposed in a spiral or helical path to move the material from the point'of reception to the point of discharge and assist in the agitation and tumbling of the material acted on. If desired, each rib at either or both ends may be rounded as shown to avoid cutting of the vegetables.

An attenuated means is employed to mount the cylinder A on a rotatable shaft 34 which is journaled longitudinally of the machine in the end plates or heads l8 and I9. Such attenuated means is spaced from both ends of the cylinder and consists of a hub 35 which is removably, but rigidly, fastened at 36 to said shaft 34. Arms 31 radiate from the hub 35 and at their outer ends terminate in webs 38 which generally follow the helix of the ribs 33 and intimately fit into depressed recesses 39 in the ribs 33 in which they may be positively secured by screws as at 40. This is merely one construction as the arms may be fastened in any manner.

The outer surfaces of the ribs or ridges 33 and the inner surfaces of the plates 21 and 28 may be smooth when the machine is used for washing and cleaning purposes only, but where decorticating is a function of the machine, for instance, in connection with tubers, the inner surfaces of the plates 2'! and 28 are rendered abradant as at 4|.

The material is supplied to the machine through an opening 42 located in one end head of the cover section D aboutwhich a receiving hopper 43 is fastened as by means of screws 44. Water may be supplied to the casing from any suitable source through a flexible hose or pipe 45 connected to a spraying or sprinkling structure 46, bolted or otherwise fastened at 41 over an opening in the front end wall l8 of cover section D and which includes an interior perforated nozzle plate 48, the perforations 49 of which direct the entering water to spray effectively onto the material contained in the cylinder A. The casing, when closed, is water-tight and to this end, a gasket 50 is disposed at the junction of the sections C and D, the same coacting with a groove 5| in the section C and a groove 52 of the section D, being anchored to but one of them, preferably groove 5|.

The washed and/or decorticated materials are adapted to discharge from the machine through an opening 53 in the end plate or head I0. At such opening 53 is a closure plate 54 hinged on a horizontal axis at 55, on the exterior of the plate or head In above the opening. According to the length of the machine, closure 54 may be left open or may be entirely omitted, as preferred. A conventional handle 56 is provided for manipulation of the closure 54 and is designed to coact with any suitable fastening means. Screwed or bolted at 51 on the exterior of plate I0 is a chute or guide 58 which is open at top and bottom, but which surrounds the discharge opening 53. Materials are discharged from the machine, when closure 54 is open, through opening 53, aided by the motion of the cylinder A and particularly by the helically disposed ribs 33. The discharging material will [all into a basket or other receptacle disposed beneath the chute 58, guided by the latter since its wall is arranged in the path of discharge.

As the source of power for operation, an electric motor 59 is employed which is mounted on a suitable bracket or shelf 60 attached to the end plate I l. Motor 58 drives a suitably journaled and enclosed shaft 60 disposed across the rear end of the machine. On shaft 60, a worm 6| is keyed which is in driving relation to a worm wheel 62 loose on the aforesaid shaft 34 beyond the rear of the machine and contained in a suitable housing 35a secured to the wall or plate ll. Worm wheel 62 has a clutch portion 63 with which a clutch portion 64 is adapted to engage and disengage, the latter being splined to and slidable on the shaft 34 and movable through manipulation of a lever 65 extending exteriorly of the housing 35a. At the opposite end or front of the machine, an end bearing 66 is preferably fastened to the plate It! about said shaft 34. Through such gearing, shaft. 60 will be driven at all times that the motor 59 is energized, but the cylinder A can operate simultaneously wtih shaft 60 or can be cut out according to the position of clutch 63-64.

The shaft 60 is capable of use as a power take-off shaft for auxiliary or accessory apparatus, for instance, an eyeing attachment, or devices for cubing, slicing, grinding, mashing or crumbling. For example, a potato eyeing tool 61 is detachably fastened in any approved manner in a socket 68 formed at the outer end of shaft 60 and associated therewith is an open funnel shaped guard 69 which is adapted for detachable disposition over the shaft housing 10, through the medium of a binding screw H, such construction enabling the eyeing tool 61 and guard 68 to be detached and any other auxiliary device employed, as preferred. The structure enables the eyeing attachment to operate at the same time the cylinder A rotates and operates on food materials therein or may be operated independently thereof, the parts all being so related that they may be supervised by and under control .of a single operator at the most advantageous position and without interference by adjacent power mechanism or other structure.

In the general operation of the machine, the tubers, other vegetables, berries, fungi or the like, are supplied to the machine through the hopper 43 in order to pass through opening 42 into the interior of the cylinder A. Water is discharged into the other end of the cylinder through the spray device 33, as delivered by the flexible hose 45. Since the latter is flexible, the cover section D'may be raised at any time for inspection, removal or replacement of parts. Cylinder A is rotated from the motor through shaft 60, gears El and 62 and shaft 34 under control of clutch 63-64. The passage of the materials through the machine is continuous since cylinder A receives same at an unobstructed end, thoroughly agitates, tumbles and progressively moves the materials therein from the rear toward the discharge opening 1.3 due to the action of helical ribs or ridges 33 during which they are thoroughly washed by the sprayed water which escapes together with any refuse from the interior of the cylinder through the openings or slots 3!, spaces 32 and at the ends of the cylinder into the casing from which the same is drained as at 12.

The materials are washed and cleaned complete ly by their passage once through the cylinder and they are discharged at the unobstructed one end of the cylinder through the motion of the cylinder A, aided by the helical or spiral arrangement of the ribs or ridges 33, through the opening 53 with closure 5% opened when employed, the speed of the motor and other parts being timed to effect such results.

It will be realized that, in addition to the Washing and cleansing operation, where the plates 2'! and 28 with the ridges 33 contain an abrasive at M, the materials will be decorticated by single progressive passage through the rotating cylinder A. The openings 31 and spaces 32 are of a size to enable peelings and skins to pass therethrough.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, as shown in the detail of Figure 8, the machine will be built without the clutch 63-66 and hence the cylinder and auxiliary device will always be driven when the motor 59 is operating. In this connection, worm 6! which is the equivalent to that at BI is enmeshed with a worm wheel 63' keyed to the shaft 34', such parts 82 and 35' corresponding to those at 63 and respectively. The housing 35b corresponds to that at 35, but is here shaped in accordance with the parts which it encloses. Otherwise, the parts are the same in construction and operation as previously described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A culinary machine having spaced apart stationary end heads, a rotary shaft extending between and journaled in said heads, a perforated cylinder having its ends terminating relatively close to said heads, one of said heads having an opening therein for supply of material into one end of the cylinder, the other of said heads having an opening for discharge of material from the cylinder, rib means on the inner surface of the cylinder arranged approximately in a helical or spiral path to agitate and move the material through the cylinder and discharg it through the last mentioned opening, and relatively attenuated means spaced inwardly from the ends of the cylinder attached to the rib means and supporting the cylinder from and concentric with the shaft to rotate with the latter, the inner surface of said cylinder at the discharge end being unobstructed on opposite sides of the rib means.

'2. A culinary machine according to claim 1 wherein the helical or spiral rib means comprises a plurality of ribs, said relatively attenuated means is approximately centrally of the ends of the cylinder and is terminally fastened directlyito the apices of different ribs.

3. A decorticating machine having spaced apart stationary end heads, a rotary shaft BX- tending between and journaled in said heads, a cylinder having its ends terminating relatively close to said heads, one of said heads having an opening therein for supply of material into one end of the cylinder, the other of said heads having an opening for discharge of material from the cylinder, said cylinder having an abradant inner surface, said cylinder having perforations of a capacity, construction and arrangement for carrying away peeling waste, rib means on the inner surface of the cylinder arranged approximately in a helical or spiral path to agitate and move the material through the cylinder and discharge it through the last mentioned opening, and relatively attenuated means spaced inwardly from the ends of the cylinder attached to the rib means and supporting the cylinder from and concentric with the shaft to rotate with the latter.

4. A culinary machine having a casing provided with spaced apart end heads, said casing having a stationary section, a movable cover on said section including parts of said end heads, a rotary shaft extending between and journaled in said heads on the stationary section, a cylinder within the casing having its ends terminating relatively close to said heads, one of said parts having an opening therein for supply of material into one end of the cylinder, the head of the stationary section at the other end of the machine having an opening for discharge of material from the cylinder, rib means on the inner surface of the cylinder arranged approximately in a helical or spiral path toagitate and move the material through the cylinder and discharge it through the last mentioned opening, said. cylinder having an abradant inner surface, said cylinder having perforations of a capacity, construction and arrangement for carrying away peeling waste, and relatively attenuated means suitably spaced in distance and in number within the cylinder extendin directly from the rib means and supporting the cylinder from and concentric with the shaft to rotate with the latter, the inner surface of the cylinder at the discharge end being unobstructed on opposite sides of the rib means.

5. A culinary machine according to claim 4 wherein said cylinder consists of first sections attached directly to and supported by the relatively attenuated means, and of second sections, the first and second sections being united in longitudinal edge to edge relationship, the adjacent edges of the first and second mentioned cylinder sections being spaced apart.

6. A culinary machine having a casing provided with a stationary section and end heads therefor, a rotary shaft extending between and journaled in said heads, a collapsible cylinder within the casing for supply of material into one end thereof, said cylinder having its ends terminating relatively close to said heads, the collapsible cylinder having its ends terminating relatively close to said heads, the head of the stationary section adjacent the other end of the cylinder having an opening for discharge of material from the cylinder, rib means on the inner surface of the cylinder arranged approximately in a helical or spiral path to agitate and move the material through the cylinder and discharge it through said opening, said cylinder having perforations of a capacity, constructions and arrangement for carrying away peeling waste,-and relatively attenuated means within the cylinder suitable in number and spaced in distance extending directly from the rib means and collapsibly supporting the cylinder from and concentric with the shaft to rotate with the latter.

'7. A culinary machine according to claim 6 wherein said collapsible cylinder consists of first 15 sections attached directly to and supported by the relatively attenuated means, and of second sections, the first and second sections being united in longitudinal edge to edge relationship, the adjacent edges of the first and second mentioned cylinder sections bein spaced apart.

8. A culinary machine according to claim 6 wherein said attenuated means consists of arms radiating from the shaft, and said collapsible cylinder comprises first ections detachably secured to the outer ends of said arms, and second sections collapsibly mounted by the first cylindrical sections and in unitary cylindrical relation therewith.

HENRY ROBINSON. 

